2of11Perla Soto and her husband David Medina enjoy a laugh with their kids Diego Medina, 11, and Paola Medina, 9, as the kids sit on a seesaw at the playground park located right on front of their home in The Woodlands, Saturday, April 1, 2017. The family who relocated from Mexico to The Woodlands seven years ago are planning to move back to Mexico City. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Staff

3of11The downtown skyline provides a backdrop for play areas such as this sand pit with a teepee of logs at the Fish Family Play Park at Buffalo Bayou Park.Photo: Diane Cowen

Discovery Green: The John P. McGovern Playground at this 11-acre urban park is carved into a tree-shaded hill that shields youngsters (age 12 and younger only) from area streets. 1500 McKinney, 713-400-7336; discoverygreen.com. Inner Loop

Donovan Park: Heights park has wooden structures on which children can climb and play, including a large castle, a smaller castle and a train. 700 Heights, 713-861-4002. Inner Loop

Eleanor Tinsley Park: With the downtown skyline as a backdrop, the new Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion here features a boulder rock scramble, rolling lawn, stream and waterfall, climbing logs and stones, and a 33-foot slide. 500 Allen Parkway; buffalobayou.org. Inner Loop

Hermann Park: Kid-friendly amenities such as the Hermann Park Railroad and the handicap-accessible Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children add to the allure of the 445-acre, urban park. There's also a water playground, and the Houston Zoo is a stone's throw away. 6001 Fannin, 713-524-5876; hermannpark.org. Inner Loop